KANCHANPUR, June 12: With a rise in COVID-19 infections among people returning from India, health desks at four border crossings in Sudurpaschim Province have resumed health screenings, including antigen testing of suspected cases.
According to Hemraj Joshi, Information Officer at the Provincial Emergency Operation Centre, antigen testing has been carried out at Gaddachauki (Kanchanpur), Gauriphanta (Kailali), Jhulaghat (Baitadi), and Pulghat (Darchula).
Health workers stationed at these desks have been identifying suspected COVID-19 cases and conducting antigen tests accordingly. Joshi mentioned that limited quantities of test kits have been supplied based on traffic flow and risk prioritization: Gauriphanta received 150 kits, Gaddachauki 100, Jhulaghat 55, and Pulghat 25. Additional kits have been requested, considering the increased return of migrant workers and farmers from India.
Speed up testing
The health desks were reactivated following a spike in cases in India. Testing at Gauriphanta began on June 4, and the program was expanded to the other three crossings on June 10. Between June 4 and 11, 16 people tested positive via antigen tests at these borders.
Bishal Bhatt, a health worker at Gaddachauki, noted that testing is ongoing despite the limited supply of kits. “We are conducting tests based on suspicion, and so far, recent antigen results have been negative,” he said. Each health desk is staffed by seven employees to manage the screening operations.